These pictures are of the many sad memorials erected by friends & family to honor murder and other violence victims in the Washington DC area. These spontaneous, homemade, heartfelt creations are found on streets throughout the region. They are often the only physical tribute to the many slaying victims.
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Thursday, January 21, 2010

This memorial was created for Nadar Mobley, who was twenty at the time of his death. It is in the 5400 block of Blaine Road NE, Washington DC.

He was killed about 3:45 PM on January 13, 2010, in a drive-by shooting while working on his car. According to his mother (shown with a photo of Mr. Mobley and his child) he leaves behind one son. He was also a fraternal twin.

His mother, a Muslim woman, was trying to raise sufficient funds for a proper funeral for her murdered child. She informed me that the city contributes some funds to families of homicide victims to help defray the costs of burial, but needed additional resources still. His sister, who was quite filled with emotion when I spoke with her, is pictured adding plush toys to the memorial. She and I spoke for a while at the site. Her voice was very soft and kind.

According to his mother, her son's friends drank one sip from each bottle of liquor at the vigil honoring his life, then poured the rest out in respect for their fallen homey.

This memorial is maintained for "MIL" who lived and died in the 1100 block of Eaton Road SE, in the Barry Farm neighborhood of Washington DC. The shrine is in an alley behind the rowhouses facing Eaton Road.

He was murdered in 2007. I met a neighbor who said the memorial was maintained by the family, and asserted clearly that in his experience MIL "was a good person and had been loved by his family." He did not know (or would not tell me) MIL's full name, and I found no further information.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

I found these sneakers hanging over wires at the intersection of 8th and Atlantic Street SE, Washington DC. This sort of memorial usually marks a death in the area. The neighborhood, Condon Terrace, has been plagued by much violence over the years, but I could find no specifics of the reason for this shrine from passersby (it was cold out) or online.

I do not document all the sneaker shrines I encounter (the city has many, and I saw at least two other sets the day I photographed this site), but I do feel it is important to note them from time to time.

Crime tape at the site of the murder of Jheryl Hodge, 20, who lived and died in the 1100 block of Eaton Road SE, in the Barry Farm neighborhood of Washington DC. He was found shot on a sidewalk about 1:00 PM Wednesday January 13, 2010.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Emmanuel Durant, 19, was found fatally shot New Year's Eve, December 31, 2009 in the alley behind the 200 block of Hawaii Avenue NE, Washington DC. He lived at 208 Webster Street NE, where there is a second memorial in front of the home, erected by his grieving family.

Mr Durant, a recent graduate of Roosevelt High School, was shot by assailants that he tried to fight off while protecting his family. The attackers had robbed his older brother and invaded the family's home in the normally quiet neighborhood. More than fifty people celebrated his life at a vigil according to the Washington Post.

Grafitti for Chardale Bowe, 42, who was shot to death New Year's Eve, Dec 31, 2009. His body was found in the 4200 block of N. Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC about 11:25 pm by city rescue workers. Police have arrested Randolph Thomas Jr in the murder.